Incident Overview
On 6 June 2011, Oman Air flight WY263, a Boeing 737-800 (registration A4O-BU), operated a scheduled passenger flight from Muscat International Airport (MCT) to Lucknow (LKO). The aircraft carried 135 passengers and 7 crew members. The first officer was the pilot flying (PF) and the captain served as pilot monitoring (PM).
The flight was uneventful until after landing.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft landed safely at 0921 UTC (1451 IST) on runway 09. During the landing roll, as the PF slowed the aircraft to about 60 knots, the first officer challenged the captain regarding control of the aircraft. The captain responded "I have control," but the first officer did not sense a transfer of control. Visually checking, the first officer noticed the captain appeared to be adjusting his seat, which seemed too far aft. The PF stowed the thrust reversers and stopped the aircraft on the runway.
The first officer asked if the captain was okay, but received an unclear response. The PF called the senior flight services (SFS) to the flight deck. At some point, the captain sat up, grabbed the tiller, and turned the aircraft 180 degrees, appearing to struggle with his right arm. The first officer assisted with the thrust levers, and the aircraft taxied back on the runway.
The aircraft was cleared to exit the runway via taxiway C due to approaching traffic. The captain undershot the 90-degree turn, and the aircraft headed toward grass. The PF took corrective action with firm rudder and braking inputs, returning the aircraft to the center of the taxi track. The PF then decided to taxi straight ahead and informed ATC, instead of turning left to the assigned bay 5. During this, the captain made several attempts to take control, and the PF realized his condition, requesting a doctor and ambulance.
Captain's Condition
The captain appeared disoriented and challenged the PF on control. A doctor from the airport attended to the captain, taking his pulse and blood pressure. Due to the severity of his condition, the captain was taken to Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS). He was admitted unconscious and later declared dead at 5:54 pm on 11 June 2011.
Injuries and Damage
No injuries to persons were reported. No damage to the aircraft or other property occurred.
Aircraft and Crew Information
The aircraft was fully serviceable and had no defects. The captain, a 61-year-old Swedish national, held a valid Air Transport Pilot License with a B737 type rating. His medical certificate was valid until 8 August 2011. The first officer had adequate rest before the flight.
Meteorological and Navigational Information
Weather at the time was good, as indicated by METAR reports. Navigational aids including VOR and ILS were serviceable.